diff --git a/ArduCopter/Parameters.cpp b/ArduCopter/Parameters.cpp
index e3c1fb208d..f82191ce63 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/Parameters.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/Parameters.cpp
@@ -36,14 +36,6 @@ const AP_Param::Info Copter::var_info[] = {
     // @ReadOnly: True
     GSCALAR(format_version, "SYSID_SW_MREV",   0),
 
-    // @Param: SYSID_SW_TYPE
-    // @DisplayName: Software Type
-    // @Description: This is used by the ground station to recognise the software type (eg ArduPlane vs ArduCopter)
-    // @Values: 0:ArduPlane,4:AntennaTracker,10:Copter,20:Rover,40:ArduSub
-    // @User: Advanced
-    // @ReadOnly: True
-    GSCALAR(software_type,  "SYSID_SW_TYPE",   Parameters::k_software_type),
-
     // @Param: SYSID_THISMAV
     // @DisplayName: MAVLink system ID of this vehicle
     // @Description: Allows setting an individual MAVLink system id for this vehicle to distinguish it from others on the same network
diff --git a/ArduCopter/Parameters.h b/ArduCopter/Parameters.h
index 0047a6dfd3..d266c68505 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/Parameters.h
+++ b/ArduCopter/Parameters.h
@@ -16,15 +16,6 @@ public:
     //
     static const uint16_t        k_format_version = 120;
 
-    // The parameter software_type is set up solely for ground station use
-    // and identifies the software type (eg ArduPilotMega versus
-    // ArduCopterMega)
-    // GCS will interpret values 0-9 as ArduPilotMega.  Developers may use
-    // values within that range to identify different branches.
-    //
-    static const uint16_t        k_software_type = 10;          // 0 for APM
-                                                                // trunk
-
     // Parameter identities.
     //
     // The enumeration defined here is used to ensure that every parameter
@@ -48,7 +39,7 @@ public:
         // Layout version number, always key zero.
         //
         k_param_format_version = 0,
-        k_param_software_type,
+        k_param_software_type, // deprecated
         k_param_ins_old,                        // *** Deprecated, remove with next eeprom number change
         k_param_ins,                            // libraries/AP_InertialSensor variables
         k_param_NavEKF2_old, // deprecated - remove
@@ -375,7 +366,6 @@ public:
     };
 
     AP_Int16        format_version;
-    AP_Int8         software_type;
 
     // Telemetry control
     //